Freewheel

[Martin Waugh]

Hi,

I have a ridgeback which I am looking at repairing and most notably I am looking at getting a new chain and freewheel.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice in terms of the difficulty in fitting a new freewheel; are they difficult for a novice to fit?

Cheers
Martin

 

[Arjimlad]

No, you need the right tool, and it's not hard. Easier than a cassette because you don't need a chain whip. Just pop the tool into the freewheel, clamp the tool into your bench vice, and turn the wheel.

 

[compo]

If you haven't a bench vice then you will need a decent wrench you can fit onto the extractor. Mine has a half inch drive hole in it so my long torque wrench does the job nicely. It is a normal direction thread and can be a bit hard to get started to undo. Once you fit your new freewheel you only need to do it up hand tight. Pedalling will fully tighten it. You don't say which Ridgeback. Mine was an older one with a 6 speed freewheel. You can get a new 6 speed freewheel and a KMC chain for around a tenner on Ebay. Tools you will need are a freewheel extractor and a chain tool to get correct length chain.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

You don't mention which Ridgeback. Is it definitely a freewheel not a cassette? You will need different tools and a different technique if it is a cassette type. Working on both versions is well within the capabilities of most home cycle mechanics though.

 

[Martin Waugh]

Thanks for all the posts; appreciate it!

I am a bit confused by the terms of a cassette and freewheel. Basically the bike has been in the open for a while though not as bad as I feared. The back wheel which had the gears - cogs; is rusty and I thought I would replace this - its about 7 quid from halfords. Dont know if this is a freewheel or cassette?

The speed is 7 and I got this in 2005; not looking at spending loads on it and thought it would be cheaper to repair it where needed. I got a merida racer and the roads/paths where I work arent really suitable for a racer so I thought I would get this bike road worthy.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Having confused the issue, I'll try to rectify that. I hope this all makes sense :
There are two types of rear gear cluster - older or cheaper bikes generally have the screw on freewheel which as the name suggests includes the freewheel in the gear cluster. With the other "cassette" type the freewheel is built into the hub and the gear cluster slides onto splines on the hub.

Since you say yours is a seven speed at the rear it will almost certainly be a screw on freewheel (cassettes are usually 8 speed or more). To replace a screw on freewheel you need a freewheel tool like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_714315_langId_-1_categoryId_242558
(doesn't have to be Halfords) and a wrench with a long lever. I use an extending wheel nut wrench for this.

The tool fits into splines in the freewheel and it undoes the normal way (anticlockwise) but will be really tight and will come undone with a crack. It might help to get a friend to hold the wheel while you lever.

 

[Poacher]

Might be an idea to give it a good dose of penetrating oil before starting. Before changing (most of!) my bikes to cassette hubs, I stripped the dogs off more than one freewheel remover!

 

[Martin Waugh]

Having confused the issue, I'll try to rectify that. I hope this all makes sense :
There are two types of rear gear cluster - older or cheaper bikes generally have the screw on freewheel which as the name suggests includes the freewheel in the gear cluster. With the other "cassette" type the freewheel is built into the hub and the gear cluster slides onto splines on the hub.

Since you say yours is a seven speed at the rear it will almost certainly be a screw on freewheel (cassettes are usually 8 speed or more). To replace a screw on freewheel you need a freewheel tool like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_714315_langId_-1_categoryId_242558
(doesn't have to be Halfords) and a wrench with a long lever. I use an extending wheel nut wrench for this.

The tool fits into splines in the freewheel and it undoes the normal way (anticlockwise) but will be really tight and will come undone with a crack. It might help to get a friend to hold the wheel while you lever.

Do you think you can still get the screw on freewheel? With you saying "with old bikes". Just will probs get a new back wheel along with freewheel.

Cheers
Martin

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Do you think you can still get the screw on freewheel? With you saying "with old bikes". Just will probs get a new back wheel along with freewheel.

Cheers
Martin

Yes, the screw on type is still very common as it is standard fit on bikes at the cheaper end of the market. You even get a choice of gear ratios depending on manufacturer for example the ones shown here: http://www.cyclelife.com/Range.aspx?pc=2&pt=95

If you want to change wheel for a cassette type you will need to check that it will fit your bike. Hubs that take cassettes use longer axles (usually 130mm over the locknuts for road bikes 135mm for mountain bikes) which might not fit your frame. Measure the distance between the dropouts to be sure.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I have a 1992 Peugeot with a 7 speed Shimano cassette - original equipment. 2005 is not old. 7 speed cassettes are easily available. Before you do anything ascertain whether you have a freewheel or cassette. Look at the Park Tool and Sheldon Brown webpages.

 

[tyred]

Sehldon gives a lot more info but generally, look between the spokes to see if the hub shell has a bulge on the driveside. If so, it's most likely a cassette hub.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Do you have the model name so we can check out the spec?

 

[Martin Waugh]

Cheers for the comments guys!

The model is Repide.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Just to confuse things further it appears that unlike most manufacturers Ridgeback offer some Rapide models with a 7 speed freewheel or a 7 speed cassette.

A possible way of identifying the type is to count the teeth on the smallest rear cog. If it's 14 it'll most likely be a freewheel if it's 12 or 11 it'll be a cassette. However, I really don't want to give you bad advice so it might be best if your local bike shop looks at it to identify it properly.

 

[Martin Waugh]

Just to confuse things further it appears that unlike most manufacturers Ridgeback offer some Rapide models with a 7 speed freewheel or a 7 speed cassette.

A possible way of identifying the type is to count the teeth on the smallest rear cog. If it's 14 it'll most likely be a freewheel if it's 12 or 11 it'll be a cassette. However, I really don't want to give you bad advice so it might be best if your local bike shop looks at it to identify it properly.

OK phil I will take a look at the bike and get back to you tomorrow. when you say smallest cog do you mean the first one you come yo if working away from the frame?